Downer secures further level crossing work

NSW-based contractor Downer has secured the road portion of works for the Denny Avenue level crossing removal in Kelmscott, ahead of Perth construction company Decmil.

The new contract comes two months after Downer EDI was awarded the rail component of the state government’s $69 million Denny Avenue level crossing removal project.

Downer was tasked with raising more than 800 metres of track to make way for the construction of a new road underpass at Davis Road.

The road component of the project involves replacing the level crossing with a rail-over-road underpass at Davis Road, to be delivered through two separate design and construction contracts.

Under its new contract, Downer will realign Third Avenue, sink Davis Road under the elevated rail line, construct new cul-de-sacs for Third and Slee avenues, and complete works on Albany Highway.

Davis Road will be widened from two to four lanes and three sets of traffic lights will be installed at the Albany Highway, Streich Avenue and Railway Avenue intersections.

Armadale MLA Tony Buti said the Denny Avenue level crossing had been a major concern for Kelmscott residents.

The project will remove the dangerous crossing as well as reduce road congestion, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said.

“Denny Avenue is the first of up to eight level crossings to be removed as part of Metronet, with all but one on the Armadale train line,” she said.

Early works on the project began last year, including with the demolition of buildings and the removal of a number of Railway Avenue trees.

Major construction works are expected to start mid this year.

The state government committed $415 million in the 2019-20 state budget towards the removal of another three level crossings on the Armadale line.

It expanded the project in September last year to include the removal of up to six crossings.